Science is Cool
Nanoscience, biology, society
December 12th - Università degli Studi di Trieste Edificio H3 – Aula 3B, III piano - Pietro Greco in dialogue with Paolo Netti
The development of nanosciences makes it possible to establish an increasingly integrated and interactive relationship between materials and elementary biological units, be they molecules (such as DNA) or cells. From the point of view of basic science, this determines both a greater knowledge of the biological world and the overcoming of concepts such as "artificial" and "natural". If ever this distinction has been reflected in reality, today it is less and less significant. From the technological point of view, it means the development of new classes of biomaterials that interact finely with active biological parts or hybrid materials with biological-cognitive identities such as, for example, neuromorphic materials or devices. All this implies a close relationship to the boundaries between science and society. For at least three reasons that we will try to bring out in the course of our intervention. First of all, the communication of these scientific innovations to the general public of non-experts. Secondly, the ethical debate that calls for interventions on the fine mechanisms of life. Thirdly, the social implications: how to ensure that the benefits of these new scientific knowledge and these new technological applications are not for the benefit of a few, but of the greatest number of people possible.
